Academy president David Rubin was non-committal last month when asked whether this next year's event would take place, saying that it was 'impossible to know what the landscape will be'.

His comments came following a temporary rule change for the 2021 awards, which has allowed movies which haven't played in cinemas to be eligible for the first time.

“The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater,” read a statement from the Academy.

“Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules. The Academy supports our members and colleagues during this time of uncertainty. We recognize the importance of their work being seen and also celebrated, especially now, when audiences appreciate movies more than ever.”